thank you guys for the reviews and follows! hihi :D
Lucy and Benjamin Barker are heading towards the park. It is an unusually day in London, so the couple takes advantage of the good weather. Finding a big tree that offers them a shade, they decided to settle under it.
"Isn't this nice, Ben?" Lucy asks. She is lying in the grass with her head on Ben's lap- eyes closed; her face looking so peaceful.
Ben caresses her face then answers "Yes, as long as I'm with you"
Lucy gives a contented sigh and a serene smile. She is very happy with her husband, although they may sometimes have some misunderstandings she still loves him no matter what.
But even though she is happy, she is not contented; she feels like something about her- about them- is missing. She knows what this is, and this is: a child. She and Ben were trying to have a baby but it seems like her husband doesn't want one anymore. These past few days he's been acting strange- He avoided having sexual interactions with her, when before he would insist on doing it every night- men- but now he is making up excuses. She fears that she is not satisfying him, or he is not interested with her anymore. Wanting to confirm her fears she asks Benjamin.
"Ben?"
"Hmm?" answers Ben while caressing Lucy's beautiful blonde hair.
"Do you still consider having a child?
Benjamin is taken off guard by his wife's question. He still wants to have a child with Lucy- considering that she's his wife. But, he just cannot afford to have two at the same time. He will not be able to support the other child if Lucy decides to have one; he cannot let that happen, because as a father, he knows he is responsible for his child. Swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat, he croaks
"We- well, of course. But, I think we should save money first. Right?" it is the truth, of course; he just hopes that his wife will agree with him.
"But Ben, didn't you save enough from your barbering?" she argues. They have been saving money because they are planning to bring another soul into this world; but now, Ben is telling her that they should save some money first. What happened to the money that he is earning?
"I have saved some money, yes. But, it wasn't enough." He cringes inside as he says this to his wife. He does not want to lie to her but he has no choice. He cannot tell her that the money the he saved would be used to his child but, not their child, no, Nellie's.
"I have some, too. It was the money that my parents gave me on our wedding day, I kept It." says Lucy, trying to convince Ben.
"You have to understand my love, that it's not that simple." He says before tapping his wife's nose.
Lucy is not having any of it. She sits up straight then looks around her, anywhere but Ben. She huffs then says "You know, I'm beginning to think that you don't want to"
"What? Why?" he is surprised that his wife would think that.
"I should ask you that, Ben. Why? Is it because you're not getting any satisfaction from me or because you don't like me anymore?" Lucy's voice is getting higher.
"Don't start with this again, Lucy" he says, knowing where the conversation is heading.
"You didn't even answer my question" she knows that she is being childish, but she is tired of putting up with her husband's excuses.
Ben takes Lucy's face with both hands, turning it to face him; then, he gently asks. "You know that I love you, right?"
Lucy's face softens, and then she answers looking straight into his eyes "Yes"
"Then why are you asking me these questions?" he asks, hurt evident in his eyes.
She just realized that she is hurting her husband and this put her to shame "I'm sorry"
"It's alright. I must admit that I was really avoiding having, you know… because, the truth is I'm afraid that if we had a child, that I wouldn't be a good father." He says as he releases his hold on his beautiful wife's face. It is partially true- he is scared that he will not be a good father; but, apart from that, his son or daughter with Mrs. Lovett is the real reason.
Lucy pulls him into a hug then kisses him on the cheek "Oh. But you would be Benny! I know you would, trust me!"
He smiles and kisses her forehead "I trust you"
Lucy leans her head on Ben's shoulder. They look perfect together- sitting under the tree with a peaceful smile on their faces. One is truly happy- the other is trying to put a smile on his face, but inside he is consumed by guilt.
Meanwhile back at Fleet Street, the baker is having a very busy day. There are lots of customers in the shop today than usual. She is getting really tired from running up and down the bake house and she feels like any minute now, she's going to collapse. She has noticed that when she became pregnant, that her energy drains out really fast; plus, the nausea and the vomiting. Also, she is more impatient and is easily irritated and angered.
"Oi Miss! Where's my order?"
"Sorry sir, I forgot, I'll get it right away." She scurries towards the counter to grab the pie and the ale that the customer ordered. She is on her way back to deliver the order when she trips- luckily she is able to hold a grip on the side of the table near her, avoiding a fall; But unfortunately, the ale that she is holding pour over one of her customers- making the customer very angry.
"Look what you've done, you stupid wench!" the man shouts as he stands up.
The baker cringes as she sees how big the man is. But, she will show him who the boss is. "I'm sorry; I'm going to give you free pie for that." She says, putting on a fake smile.
"You think I need your free pie?" the man laughs and circles around Mrs. Lovett. He is eyeing her body with a perverted grin planted on his face. Then he stands very close behind her, encircling his hands on her waist. "How about, I take you, for free?" the man whispers in her ear.
Shivers runs through her body. She is disgusted by the man, but most of all she is angry. She looks around her and is glad that the people are still busy with eating- not noticing them. She slowly turns around and leans into the man's ear, then she whispers "Get off me, now"
The man does not move- Unfazed by the baker's warning. He only tightens his hold on her waist pulling her closer to him. He looks at her mockingly, as if he is daring her to do something to him. Mrs. Lovett has no choice but to take action. She slowly- seductively- run her hands on the man's chest. He grins, eyes clouded with lust. The baker stands on her tip toes as if to kiss the man, but what comes next isn't what the man is expecting. She brings her knees up forcefully and it collides with the man's groin making him double over with pain. The man stands up slowly clutching his stomach- pain still evident on his face. He glares at Mrs. Lovett as he makes his way to the door, leaving.
"Bye, Love." The baker says as she winks at him. The man gives the baker a dirty look then leaves, closing the door with a loud bang.
Mrs. Lovett is now lounging at her parlor. She just finished cleaning the shop and currently, she is just relaxing- reading a book. She hears the bell of her shop rings- indication that someone comes in. Then she hears someone calling her name and she realizes that it is Ben.
"Here" she shouts from the parlor. Hearing that Ben arrives at the parlor, Mrs. Lovett turns around to face him.
"Mr. Barker, do you need anything?" she asks.
Ben is quiet- looking serious then he speaks "Yes, actually Mrs. Lovett, We need to talk."
Two days ago, after Mrs. Lovett announces that she is pregnant the both of them decided that they should just discuss on what are they to do about the situation some other day; seeing that they were both… not in their right mind that day.
"Sure, love. I'll just go and get us tea. Take a seat." Mrs. Lovett leaves Benjamin alone to go to the kitchen and prepares tea. After pouring the drink in the china cups that she takes from the cupboard, she goes back to the parlor.
She hands him the tea and settles herself to the sofa next to Ben- a coffee table between them.
"Now, what it is that you want to talk about?" she asks while taking a sip of her tea.
"Our child." Says Ben plainly.
"Well, then I want to know what's your plan for us?" she asks curiously.
"I will support both of you- financially." He answers indignantly.
"I don't need your money Mr. B, thank you." She is slightly hurt by his words. She doesn't need his money; she can take her of herself and her child without his help. What she needs is for him to be there for both of them- her and the baby inside her.
"I didn't mean it that way. What I'm saying is that you don't need to worry about the money" he says defensively as he shakes his head.
"Actually, I don't worry about it. What worries me is that- what do I tell people if they ask who's the father of my child?" Mrs. Lovett asks- she's been thinking about it since she found out that she's pregnant.
"Tell them it's Albert's. That a week after he died that's when you learned that you were pregnant." He thought about it days ago, so he is prepared for the question.
Mrs. Lovett considers this- it's been only a month since Albert died and she has been pregnant for two weeks now. She and Ben conceived the child a week after her husband passed away, so she thinks they could get away with saying that Albert's the father.
She nods in agreement. Silence reigns between the two. Mrs. Lovett is fidgeting in her seat, wanting to say something. After a few moments, she finally blurts out what she wants to say "There's more… I'm worried about you."
"Me? Why?" he asks perplexed by her.
"How are we gonna explain this to Lucy? I know she won't forgive us if she finds out about this, and knowing you- I know you love her so much and you can't afford to lose her." saying that she knows how he loves his wife so much, feels like she's been stabbed in the chest. 'Well, that's the truth Nellie'
Mr. Barker tears off his gaze from Mrs. Lovett and remains silent- not answering her question.
"You- you- don't have a plan on telling her, don't you?" she asks, knowing what his answers will be. She doesn't know why she wants to tell Lucy about this. She just thinks that it will be better if Lucy knows- so that they will not have to hide anymore.
"It's just that… I can't- I love my wife so much Mrs. Lovett. It will break her heart if she learns about this. Please, you have to understand."
'What about us? Me?' she wants to ask Ben but she prevents herself. Instead, she asks "What about the baby?"
"I will take care of my child- I'll always be there for him or her." he answers truthfully.
"And how are you going to do that?" Mrs. Lovett raises one eyebrow questioningly. Ben opens then closes his mouth a couple of times but nothing come out. He fails to give an answer. She decides to end the conversation- she stands up and walks towards the hallway leading to her bedroom.
She glances back at him- he is rubbing his forehead looking very troublesome. She knows how hard the situation is for him but, it is also hard for her. She knows that they both can't do anything about it. They cannot go back in time to right the wrong that they have done that night- they can only face the present and hope for the best.
"Talk to me when you have the answer. Good night."
hey guuys! :)))
So, Lucy wants a child too... should I allow her? o.O
leave me a review :)